5 Common VOCs That Can Wreak Havoc on Your IAQ
Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) in your Hobe Sound, Florida, home is crucial. Doing so will lessen respiratory problems and reduce allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, some commonly used items in your home may contain dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can damage your home’s IAQ. Even when stored in your home, the chemicals below can escape into the air and cause a host of problems:
Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are a common household item used to mask odors that may be lurking in your home. While these sprays may temporarily leave a fresh scent in your home, they also release VOCs. Consider natural alternatives, such as vanilla and fresh lemon juice.
Paint
While paint may be a necessity when remodeling or freshening up your home, you should consider choosing brands with low VOC levels. Also don’t forget to properly seal it. If possible, store remaining paint outside of your home. As a result, you’ll avoid breathing in the VOCs.
Bleach
Bleach is a popular cleaning product that can effectively clean and brighten surfaces. The problem with using this chemical is that it not only releases harmful VOCs into the air but can also create toxic gases when mixed with other compounds. Therefore, try to avoid using it.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is found in a wide range of household products and home-building materials. Exposure to high levels of formaldehyde in your home can result in watery eyes, fatigue and difficulty breathing. If you have these products in your home, it’s important to control the humidity. When humidity levels become too high, more formaldehyde can release into the air.
Pesticides
Pesticides can enter your home in one of two ways. They can come in the form of sprays used to repel or treat pest problems. They can also come into your home from outdoor soil that has been treated with pesticides.
Be aware of common VOCs that may be lurking in your home and learn how to reduce them. If you’re looking for other ways to remove VOCs from your home, contact Ranger Air Conditioning at 772-205-3293. We can provide you with information on an air cleaner system.
Image provided by Bigstock